Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, stated that mental health in MMA needs to be discussed, referencing Jiri Prochazka's unusual training methods and post-fight explanations. Longo dismissed Prochazka's claim of showing mercy as simply making a serious mistake. Carlos Ulberg also criticized Prochazka, saying fear held him back rather than mercy, calling the mercy excuse an attempt to secure a rematch. Ulberg noted that Prochazka never approached him after their fight and believes his behavior is aimed only at getting public reactions. Ulberg also mentioned tension in the City Kickboxing gym, with he and Israel Adesanya not seen together recently and ignoring each other's performances.
Ray Longo, the veteran trainer behind Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has waded into the ongoing debate surrounding Jiri Prochazka's post-fight behavior, arguing that mental health in MMA deserves a serious conversation — and that Prochazka's conduct is a prime example of why.
Longo rejected Prochazka's assertion that he showed mercy during a recent bout, calling it plainly what he believes it to be: a serious mistake dressed up in a convenient narrative. The criticism adds another high-profile voice to a chorus questioning the Czech standout's explanations.
Prochazka, 33, holds a 32-6-1 record and is currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division. Fighting out of Jetsaam Gym Brno, the six-foot-three Orthodox striker is one of the most aggressive finishers in the weight class, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. His unconventional training methods and philosophical framing of losses have drawn scrutiny well beyond this latest incident.
Carlos Ulberg, ranked third at light heavyweight with a 15-1-0 record, was equally blunt. The City Kickboxing product, who stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and lands a division-leading 6.54 significant strikes per minute, said fear — not mercy — was the real factor holding Prochazka back when the two met. Ulberg also accused Prochazka of fabricating the mercy story to manufacture a path toward a rematch, noting that Prochazka never approached him following their fight. The 35-year-old New Zealander suggested Prochazka's public statements are engineered for reaction rather than honesty.
Ulberg also acknowledged tension within City Kickboxing, noting that he and teammate Israel Adesanya have not been seen together recently and have been disregarding each other's performances. Adesanya, 36, holds a 24-6-0 record and is ranked eighth in the middleweight division.
Why it matters
- Prochazka sits at number two in a crowded light heavyweight division, making any questions about his mindset relevant to title picture dynamics
- Ulberg's dismissal of a potential rematch framing could influence how matchmakers and the UFC view Prochazka's next booking
- Reported friction inside City Kickboxing between Ulberg and Adesanya adds an internal team storyline to an already complicated picture
